Ball-finishing machine.



F. mvuaw. BAU- FINISHING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION IlLtD FEB. 9. Hi6. I 1,223,087. mama Apr. 17,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Fig. 1; s

mvsurok r a a r A Ms mfim F. MAYHEW.

BALL FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 9, "Ii- J Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- wmvessr r I nwmarrim FER AN K MAYHEW," F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSJGNOR T0 ATLAS BALL COMPANY, or VANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PHILAI)ZED 1111i?HIA PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- BALILPFINISHING Macrame.

Pat ented Apr. 1'7, 1917.

Application filed February 9,1916. Serial No. 77,131t.

To, all w ho mvz't may concern: I

Be it known that I, FRANK Mmrmzw, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Philadelphia county of Philadelphia, and State of P nnsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ball-Finishing Machines, of which the following is a specification. e v

The object of the invention, is to provide ama'chine in which a number of balls can besimiiltaneously ground, polished or burnishedso as to give to the exterior of the balls operated upon a smooth and uniform exterior...

' ,Thelinvention. is preferably realized by pressing the balls between relatively rotatin'gheads, each. head having a plurality of circular .ball-receiving-grooves or ra ceways. .Thegroovesin one of said heads-which head may be referredto as a resistingv head orball-s11pporting ring or head-are 'ar ranged concentric with each other. The 0 posing heads-Which may be referred to a pressing heads-has a plurality of concentric members .each having a ball-receiving'groo ve or raceway that is' opposed to one of the grooves or race'ways in the resisting head.

The concentric members of the pressing head .may be referred to as pressing rings or members and they are free to float or move relative to each other whereby each press ing r ngcan' adapt itself to the Workthat is, tothe ballsfi-upon which itis operating. The hpemting ends of the opposed heads are madeofmetal, preferably castiron, and the grooves therein are of the pro er cross sectional eonfigiirationto fit the balls which are to be operated vnpon -inthe. machine; -aWhen the balls are merely to be given a.

high polish they are pressed between said relative1y;rotating heads and a bath of clear oil'is supplied to them. If a slight grinding aotionis desired a. certain agn'ount of emery or likceabras ive substaneeis 'fized in the oil. As showing certain speoificjsembodiments of machines j in which the invention may be realized referenceis made to the drawings .orming a part of this specification'and in which draWings, Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side and front elevations of a grinding; polishing or ball-receiving grooved '0 O O that are loo: ted atthe underside burnishing machine in which the invention is realized' The lov'er portion of the standard for the machine shown in these figures is broken off.

Fig. 3 is a vertioa sectional view showing the arrangement of the opposing heads. This is a view as t; ken on the broken line in Fig. 4.

Fig. tie a plan vie W of the parts shown in Fig,

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing another form of (pposing heads. This figure is a view as taken on the broken line 55 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a plan view trated-in Fig; 5.

of the heads illustaken on "the line 7-7 in Fig. (Hooking in the direction of the 2 rrows.v

A designates the frame of the machine which frame comprises zontally extendingtuble C and an upright D. The machine is shown as beingprovided with. opposingheads E which are the same as those illustrated '11 Figs. 3 and 4:. but it will be understood that the heads shown in Figs. 5-to 7 could be employed in place. of those in position in the machine. The lower head F of this st of opposing heads E may be referred to as a resisting head or as a lmll-supporting lng head and it comprises annular concen-' trio pressing rings 01 members H, H and H It also comprises .as a part thereof a yoke K through whi h bolts L, L and L pass whereby when tl 1e yoke is raised in a manner hereinafter described the rings or members H, .H and'] I will also be raised. When in operation three series of'balls. in a device having three rings; are located in the respective ball-re:eiving grooved portions or raceways N N N hese grooves are all circular-and in cross section are of the proper size and shape to fit the balls which are to be operate (1 upon inthe grooves.

Theballs, when 111 the: e grooved portions N N N enter respective ly the corresponding portions or raceways of the rings H, H anl H when'the latter a standard B. a horiupon in the machine.

LL, and the hushed-screw PP.

" rest upon the balls. When the rings are resting upon the balls in the manner just referred .to they are rotated through the agency of the y ke engaging bulling washers l P P that respectively surround the screw-studs Q Q The openings M M M in the yoke K through which the bolts L L L pass are substantially larger than the bolts whereby a certain freedom of movement of the several rings relative to each other is permissible during the time the yoke is serving todrive the pressing rings ll H and II. This yoke K is carried on the lower end of a verticall v extending driving spindle It; this driving spindle R- is in turn driven in any suitable manner as through the agency of the tight and loose pulleys S and Sthe shaft T carrying the sanie and the bevel gears U and V. The spindle R is slidable through the gear and-can be raised by means of a sleeve V having a rack gear mechanism X which engages said rack and a handle Y. The opposing heads illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 comprise the lower supporting ring or head FF and two concentric pressing members HH and HH. lhe disk member KR corresponds in function to the yoke K; it and also the member HH may be considered to constitute the inner pressing member of the upper head. This disk member KK also serves the same function as that of the yoke K shown in Fig. 3. to both drive the outer ring 'HH, as through the agency of the plate The plate LLand two other plates, to wit. plates LT which plates are all arranged about 120 .apart. serve as means whereby the disk member KK when raised can be relied upon to also raise. the outer ring Ill]. The ring 1111 is provided with rods MM as a means for securing the ring Till to the disk member KK so that when the disk KK is raised the ring Till will also be raised. In order that the ring llll' may be free to iimlt'lt'i'tl- 'tive to the disk hK. when in operation. a Clearance is provided in the openings through which the rods)! pass and when it is desired to permit this movement the nuts on the rods are loosened.

'lluseveral conrentrh rings ll ll preferably made of cast iron and they are comparatively large whereby when in operation a considerable pressure will be em-ml against the balls which are being operated imlividu'al ring or concentric member may be referred to as an imlcpciulcnt pressing ring which is't'rc'e to lloat or adjust itself relative to the other ring or concentric mcm her in the-head so as to a colinnodate itself" to the workbcing operated upon.

Similar remarks apply to the construction s c. shown in l. gs. to t. in the last mentioned For this reason cachfigures the member HH'is a comparatively heaf 'y member; as to ulc mellll'ml UH its eti'ective weight is increased by the weight of the disk member KKjand also by the unbalanced weight of the r' spindle R to which the disk men'lber KK is secured. If sufticientfiec radial mover ntavere provided in the spindle .the mem r HI-I could be rigidly secured to the disk KK or could even be made integral with and a part of the disk KK. In such a construction the inner and outer members would .be free to move relative to each other when in operation so as to accommodate themselves to the work. As the severalgrooves at the u ppcr surface of the supporting ring or resisting head are concentric with each other only a very limited movement is required between the (litferent concentric pressing rings, but a limitcd i'novement has been found. essential where it is desired to obtain a fine product. The lower supportin ring or resisting head is preferably slida Jly mounted on the horizontally extending table C. When the machine is to be emptied and recbargedthe free end of the handle Y is pulled down thus effecting a raising of the upper head G. The alnount of movement obtained is suflicie'nt to permit the supporting ring or resisting head. together withthe several sets of balls that have been operatcd upon, to be removed from underneath the pressing head bysliding the supporting ring or head horizontally on thet-able After the-balls which have 'l'ieen'ioperatcd upon are removed a new set jo'f' lialls is placed in each of the receiving grooves or ra(a .-wa vs at the top of the rcsisting'heaththe head is-slid in place luulcrncaththe pressing head, the latter is then l oi\7- e rcd and reuilved for asuflicicntperiod tonetfcct the grinding. polishing or burnishing opera- J tion. as m a v be desired.

.\s previously indicated, ifa grinding operation is desired oil |nixcdwith an abrasive is Introduced In the M ll-receivinggrooves, whereas if only a polishing or bur tween wl ich a relative rota'ti'o tithes place.

each head havint. a plurality ofconcentric ha lI- rem-i ing grooves, one of said heads ha vin}: culll'clltl'lu pressing rlngs or,:1n' eml-rer3- wh irh a re free to float or move relative to each other while ilbfll'lel'ativl engagement with partlng relative rotation that it can .the supporting ring, a shaft said machine, and means whereby said shaft balls that are between said heads andin the. I

' a shaft carried n said frame,-means foul-o.-

grooves thereof.

2. A machine of the class described comprising in combination opposing heads each having a plurality of concentric ball-receiving grooves 51' raceways, and means for 1mbetween sa1d opposing heads, one of said heads comprising a plurality of pressing rings which can move relative to each other when they are in ei'igagement with the balls being operated upon. v

3. A machine of the class described comprising in combination a frame, a supporting head mounted upon said frame so slide longitudinally thereupon, said head havingupon its upper surface a plurality of concentric'ball-receiving grooves or raceways, a vertically extending spindle carried in said frame, means for rotating said spindle, and a plurality of concentric upper rings or pressing members each of which has on its under surface a groove for receiving therein the balls which are in one of the grooves-in said supporting ring, there being provided means between the upper rings or members and the shaft whereby said upper rings will be driven from said shaft, the construction being. such that the upper rings arefree to adjust themselves relative to each other and relative to the supporting head.

a. A machine of the class described comprising in combination a frame havin -a horizontally extending table, a supporting ring or member slida-bly mounted upon said table, said supporting ring or member having upon its upper surface a plurality of concentric circular grooves, a plurality of pressingrings located above said supporting ring, each pressing ring having on its underside a circular grooved portion which is opposed. mom of the grooved portions in mounted in will rotate said pressing rings which are free to move relative to each other so as to a accommodate themselves to 'do the work irisim in combination a frame when they be lifted order to-permit the latter are in operating engagement therewith, the machine also being provided uitlrmeans whereby said pressing rings can away vfrom the supporting ring in ring to he slid horizontally on the table from operative position.

5. Amachine of the class described comaball sup- ;orting member carried on said frame, saidball supporting 'member having on its up;

per surface concentric ballereceiv'ing grooves a plurality of pressing members arranged .above the supporting member each pressing member having on its underside a ballreceiving groove that is opposed to a ball receiving groove i:1 the supporting meniber;

tating said shaft, 2 yoke on the lower end of said shaft and me: ns between said yoke-and said pressing memiers wherebythey will be v rotated relative tothe supporting member;

the construction of said means beingsuch that the pressing members are free to float or move relative 10 each other when they are in operative engagement with the balls.

being operated upn i (i. A machine of the class described com prising in combination a frame, a lower supporting member having a plurality of concentric ball-receiving grooved portions at its upper surface, a plurality of floating up-. per rings or members each having on its underside a ball-receh ing grooved portion that is opposed to cm of the ball-receiving grooved portions (n the lower member, a shaft, and connections between the shaft and said floating rings )1 members whereby the latter will be driven from said shaft, means for raising and low aring said shaft the con-- necting means betueen said shaft and said rings being such th: t with the raising of the shaft the floating rings will be raised.

7. A machine of the class described comprising in combination opposed heads and means for causing relative rotation between said heads, one of said heads comprising a plurality of concentric ball-receiving grooves or raceways and the other of, said heads comprising a corresponding number of ball-rest; ceiving grooves or raceways, one of saidheads also comprisi 1g aplurality of rings or members which are free to, adjust. themselves relative to esu 1h other in order to accommodate themselves to the work being oporated upon, the In: ,chine parts beingconstructed and arranged so that ballS lIl the grooves between said prising in combinat on a resisting head, -a.

pressing head opposed to the resisting head. i

which heads are provided with the: heads,

concentriw grooved 13011310118 for receiving therein balls upon its operative surface one of the grooved portions referred to said ;members being free to move relative to each other whereby they can, accommodate themselves to the work being operated upon.

9. A machine of tlefclass described coinprising a resisting he: d, a pressing head and. means for causingrelative rotation between said heads, plurality of concentrc members which are said press J g head comprising a apposed to the lmll-rw-eiring portions or,

free to adjust; themselves relative to eaeh other the resisting head having on .it's 'l'aee ad acentto the pressing head a plurality of eoncentrie eireula'r grooved portions,or raeeporting member or resisting rin g earried onsaid frame. an upper. pressing head \i'hieh eompl'ises an inner pressing l'llt'llt')! and an outer annular.pressing member. a vertieal shaft mounted in said frame. means for rotatihg said shaft and means for raising said shaft. the inner and outer members ol the pressing head being eonneeted to ttltll other and to the shaft in surh away that when the shaft is rotated said inner and outer members will be rotated and so that when the shaft is raised said i| ner and outer memlzers will be raised i'ron operative position.

the supporting member having upon its upher face a phn'alitA oi eoii(.-eiiti'ie ball-re ('eiving-grmn'ed portions or raeewarvs the inner and outer pressing members eaelrhariug on its umler-surfaee-a grooved portion or raceway \vhirh reeeives therein a set of balls. \vhieh are in ("It of the eorresponding grooved portions or raeeways on said upper face I 11. A maehine oi the class deseribed'eo'mprising in combination a frame having a horizontally ('Xtt'lHllH}! table. a resisting. ring slidably mounted upon said table aud Inovide'd on its upper surfaee \vit'h eonrentri ball-rewiring grooved portions or rare \\'a' \'s. a pressing head eomprising eolu-entrie inner and outer members having ball-rel-eivraeewavs on the resisting ring when the latter is in position under the pressing head. a shaft, operativelv sonnet-ted to said head l'mrotating,' the members thereof. means for rotating said shaft, and means for raising said shaft whereby said pressing ,head will be lifted a\va \"J1' rom o].)e|'ative vposition above the resisting-ring the inner and outer Inenr bersof said pressing head being tree to llo'at relative ,to earh other as the are pre sed against the. balls tvhile the latli-r are being operated upoiz-v I12. A machine of the elass deseri'bed eom prisi lg in eoi'nbination a frame having a luirizontalb' extending table. a resisting ring. Slidably mounted upon said table, which resistinigfi'iug has upon ts upper slit-face. a pl urality of er-mrentrie ball-rt eeivin'g grooved portion or -ae nn-rvs, a h ad arranged above the resistmg ring,

which head comprises a plurality of annular.

a yoke on the. lower end of said shaft, and.

means between said-yoke and said pressing rings whereby said rings will be rotated by said shaft but will also be free to m ve relative to each other so as to aecoriinlodate themselves to the work being operated upon, there also being provided bet-ween the yoke and rings means whereby when the shaft with the yoke thereupon israised the pressing rings will also be raised.

13. machine of the class described comprising in eo'mbination a supporting menr her having upon its upper surface a plurality of eireular eoneentrie rar-eu'irvs serving as Imll-QrePeiving grooves. a pro-org head arranged above the supporting member. a shaft for rotating said pressing head said pressiug'hezul eomprising an inner pressing member having a ball reeeiviug groove on its umler-surfaee and an outer ring \vhieh also has :n ball-reeeiving groove on it umler-surfiua the. outer ring being operativel}; eonneeted to said inner pressing menr ber whereby as the shaft is raised the inner and outerpressing members will also be raised.-

l l. A niaehine of the class described eone. prising in combination a frame. a ball -supi.portingmember or ring carried on said frame. an upper pressing head which eomprises an inner pre sing meniher and an oul annular' pre sing n'i embel'. a vertieal shaft n-io'unted in said frame. means for rotating said hall. and means for raising said shaft. the inner and outer members of the pressing liead being eonneet d to each olhe" and to lbe shaft in ll('ll a \va \"that. when the shalt is rotated said inner and outer un'inlan-s will e r tated; so that they "ran areouunodate or adjn tthelhselve relative to eaeh other and so that wh the haftis. raiseihsaid ii'mer and outer ln'elnlwrsnill be raised from operatixepositiou. the supporting-memberharing upon its upper fare a plurality of (anieentrie hall-rewiring groou-d portions or raver av the inner and older pre sing members eaelrlu'iving 'on its under -|u'l'ak'e a grooved portion or I'm-en. ;v \vhieh, rereives therein a Set of balls \vhieli are in ne of the ('ol'reslm'idillil l-"l raeeu'a .*s on saul upper tare; a

l5. marhiue of the elades ribed no!" prising in eomliiiiatiol'i a upporting nn-m brr 'lraving upon it upper surface aphr ralit'y of eireular eoneentrie raeew'ays serv ing as bad 'ecei'ving grooves," a, pressing head arranged above the supporting member, a shaft for rotating said pressing head said pressing head comprising an inner pressing member having a ball-receiving groove on its under surface and an outer rmg which also has a ball-receiving groove on its under surface, the outer ring being operativelyconnected to said inner pressing member whereby as the shaft is raised the inner and outer pressing members will also be raised, the constriction being such that the rings are free to move relatlve tp-each other whereby they can accommodate themselves to the work be ng operated upon.

This specification signed and witnesed 15 this 7th day of Febr uary,A. D. 1916.

FRANK MAYHEW. Signed in the presence of RAYMOND Cow Ann, HENRY HAPP. 

